Why did Geri Halliwell leave the Spice Girls?

FANS of the Spice Girls were left heartbroken after Geri Haliwell decided to quit the group in 1998.

Years later, after two reunions and a successful solo career, she opened up on the spilt. Here's everything you need to know.

Why did Geri Halliwell leave the Spice Girls?

Geri, now known as Geri Horner, decided to quit the Spice Girls at the height of their fame on May 31, 1998 — just nine days before their US tour.

According to reports in the , she had already aroused suspicion that she may be leaving the band, which formed in 1994, after she failed to appear in a number of performances.

Geri’s solicitor Julian Turton, then read a statement on her behalf at a huge London press conference.

He was also joined by Alan Edwards - a spokesman for the Spice Girls.

It read: “This is a message to the fans. Sadly, I would like to confirm that I have left the Spice Girls.

"This is because of differences between us, I am sure the group will continue to be successful and I wish them all the best."

It concluded: "I have no immediate plans. I wish to apologise to all of the fans and to thank them and everyone who has been there. “

Nine years later, the 44 year-old opened up about quitting the band in the 2007 documentary, Giving You Everything.

She explained: "I remember knowing in my heart in the days approaching that I was going to leave, and the song Viva Forever I was standing there thinking 'Oh my god, this is the last time I'm going to perform this with them'. I'd given all I could.

“I felt like I didn't belong any more. They didn't need me any more, really, and I definitely felt very redundant."

She concluded: "I kind of threw in the towel and gave up."

How many number ones did she have?

After leaving the band, Geri embarked on a successful solo career – holding the record for the most number ones by a British female solo artists for 14 years.

Her first single Look At Me narrowly missed the top spot, but her next four singles went straight in at the top - a consecutive run as yet unmatched, according to official charts.

As well as charting her four number one hits, Geri also sold over 15 record million records.

When did she return to the band?

Despite her success as a solo artist, Geri rejoined the band in 2007 in order to take part in their first reunion tour, The Return Of The Spice Girls.

She then returned for a second tour in 2019, which featured all but one of the five-piece girl band as they raked in an estimated £4.47m.

The group had plans to try and repeat the success in 2021 with a world tour set to mark their 25^th anniversary.

However, due to the effects of the Covid 19-pandmic, the event was cancelled.

Meanwhile, the Sun exclusively revealed that Geri made a £122,000 profit in the year ending 31 August 2020, despite the failure to launch the tour.

According to accounts for her company Wonderful Productions, she paid herself £200,000 in dividends, which equates to a generous £547 per day.

The star also bought £647,000's worth of stocks and shares.